Wildlife Wonders

 

Exhibit Title:
Wildlife Wonders

Exhibition Locations:
Current Exhibition (July 16, 2024 – July 31, 2025):
The World Trade Center, NYC

About the Exhibition:
Wildlife Wonders is a transformative public art exhibition featuring three monumental bronze sculptures by internationally acclaimed artists Gillie and Marc. Installed outside the World Trade Center Oculus in New York City, this exhibition brings wildlife conservation to the forefront, inviting the public to interact with art while learning about the urgent need to protect endangered species.

The centerpiece of the exhibition, The Arms of Friendship, is the world’s largest bronze octopus sculpture, spanning 36 feet and weighing 7 tonnes. Its eight detailed limbs cradle endangered animals, offering visitors the chance to sit on a tentacle and experience a moment of awe and connection.

Two additional sculptures further enrich the exhibition:

  • The Wild Table of Love depicts a symbolic dinner party where Rabbitwoman and Dogman host ten endangered animals, inviting visitors to join in this message of care and protection.
  • The Hippo Was Hungry To Try New Things With Rabbitwoman portrays a touching dialogue between a hippo and Rabbitwoman, highlighting the devastating loss of hippo habitats in the DRC.

This free public exhibition encourages engagement, reflection, and action, inspiring a deeper appreciation for wildlife and the environment.


About the Project:

Gillie and Marc’s Wildlife Wonders brings together art, conservation, and community to address the alarming decline in global wildlife populations. Over the last 50 years, wildlife populations have plummeted by 69%, and the world faces an imminent sixth mass extinction.

The artists’ iconic hybrid characters, Rabbitwoman and Dogman, serve as guides in this journey, bridging the gap between humans and wildlife. Through these sculptures, Gillie and Marc aim to foster love, respect, and action, empowering people to support conservation initiatives and protect the planet’s most vulnerable species.

The exhibition’s centerpiece, The Arms of Friendship, encourages visitors to reflect on their role in preserving the natural world. Sitting on the giant octopus’s tentacle symbolizes humanity’s shared responsibility to nurture and safeguard wildlife.


About the Sculptures:

The Arms of Friendship
A Colossal Interactive Octopus Sculpture
Stretching 36 feet and weighing 7 tonnes, The Arms of Friendship is the largest bronze octopus sculpture in the world. Its tentacles cradle endangered animals, offering a tactile and emotional connection to wildlife. Visitors are invited to sit on the sculpture, fostering a sense of awe and responsibility.

The Wild Table of Love
A Banquet for Humans and Animals
This six-meter-long bronze sculpture depicts Rabbitwoman and Dogman hosting a symbolic dinner party with ten endangered animals. Two empty seats invite the public to join, sending a powerful message of protection and care for wildlife.

The Hippo Was Hungry To Try New Things With Rabbitwoman
A Conversation for Change
This poignant sculpture showcases Rabbitwoman sharing coffee and watermelons with a hippo, a species that has lost over 95% of its population in the DRC due to habitat loss. The piece emphasizes the need for collective action to protect these misunderstood creatures.

 

How to Help:

  • Visit the sculptures and share your experience using the hashtag #LoveTheLast to spread awareness.
  • Learn about endangered species and support conservation organizations that fight to protect them.
  • Engage with Gillie and Marc’s interactive sculptures to connect with wildlife and inspire others to take action.

 

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